What should I wear to a New Year's Eve wedding?

While it's more than appropriate to wear something simple and classic to a New Year's Eve wedding, if you really want to embrace the theme (while still adhering to the dress code, of course), go bold with a sequin-embellished dress or opt for a gown in shimmering metallic like gold and silver.

What is festive attire?

Festive attire is typically a combination of dressy cocktail attire with hint of holiday flair. This means guests should opt for outfits in bold colors with fun details like sequin or bead embellishments.

What accessories can I wear with my New Year's Eve wedding guest outfit?

Depending on your personal style, you can either go for a statement-making look with bold and embellished jewelry or you can opt for a simple yet festive look by pairing your ensemble with clean and modern metallic accessories.

18 Best New Year's Eve Wedding Guest Dresses of 2021

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sequin embellished dress — Courtesy of BHLDN

Few occasions call for all-out glamour, but the number one on our list is, without a doubt, a New Year's Eve wedding. As a guest, this is your red-carpet moment — an occasion to pull out all the stops. Sure, under normal circumstances, you wouldn't want to steal attention from the couple of honor. But on January 31, it's safe to assume the soon-to-be-wed selected the date for the increased merriment, making a dialed-up dress more than appropriate.

When deciding upon a New Year's Eve wedding guest dress, color, and style are big considerations. Dazzling numbers are indeed encouraged — think metallic hues, sequin-decked designs, and luxe fabrics with sheen. Jewel tones, vibrant colors, playful prints, and muted shades work, too — you'll look party-perfect in a shimmering slate, gleaming indigo, or sparkling sandstone.

Read on for the best New Year's Eve wedding guest dresses to usher in the new year and the newlyweds in style.

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Best Allover Sequin: Mac Duggal Sequin Long Sleeve Gown

If you've RSVP'd "yes" to a black-tie New Year's Eve wedding, this scintillating gown is absolute perfection. The V-neckline and drawn-in waist are stunning, yes. But it's the soaring slit that makes this number thoroughly scene-stealing.

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Best Velvet: Jenny Yoo Velvet Dress

When it comes to a cold-weather New Year's Eve wedding, you can never go wrong with a sumptuous velvet dress. This impossibly chic style from BHLDN would pair beautifully with gold accessories.

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Most Unexpected: Retrofête One-Shoulder Metallic Dress

We love a little black dress, but for more distinction, this shimmering lavendar is so unexpected. Keep the rest of you look simple with minimal jewelry and a simple heel.

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Best Little Black Dress: Reformation Mini Dress

This black dress is simple yet striking, with an alluring strapless neckline and a sexy high slit. To give it a New Year's Eve wedding guest spin, add in a glimmering accessory or two — we're thinking a beaded mini bag and drop earrings.

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Most Versatile: Eloquii Sequin Dress With Removable Sleeve

Like with jewelry, some prefer gold over silver. If this is you, look no further than this gilded dress, featuring removable sleeves for the added bonus of two looks in one.

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Most Polished: ASOS EDITION Batwing Maxi Dress

This elegant batwing dress strikes a chord, though the clean lines ensure total elegance. Accent yours with heels and jewelry in polished silver for added shine.

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Most Sophisticated: Arlington Floral-Crystal and Feather-Trim Crepe Dress

Nothing screams it's time to celebrate quite like a crystal-embellished number. Wear yours with metallic accessories to complete the festive look.

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Mango Short Sequin Dress

The only way to make an all-over sequins dress even more eye-catching? Pick one in a bright color with a leg-baring silhouette–like this pale green number from Mango.

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Most Whimsical: Saloni Polka-Dot Dress

This polka-dot dress is the perfect splash of color for those inherently drawn to black. Complete with puff sleeves and decorated with a trio of bows–we can't think of a more festive look for a New Year's Eve wedding.

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Most Feminine: By Watters Pixie Silk Mini Dress

You'll make a wedding-guest statement in this strappy mini dress. The pretty green hue might feel innately spring, but with metallic heels and a jewel tone bag, it's entirely festive for New Year's Eve.

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Best Metallic: Sabina Musayev Metallic Dress

This fun fringe dress is exactly what you need to take you from the reception to the dancefloor, to the afterparty.

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Best Two-Tone: & Other Stories Black & White Sequin Dress

What's bolder than all-over sequins? Two tones, in black and white. Even more alluring is the slit at the back — a statement-making look from all angles.

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Most Fun: Banana Republic Pleated Sequin Dress

A pleated sequin fabric adds edge and dimension to this party-ready black dress. It's both demure and daring for a New Year's Eve wedding, especially in a warmer locale.

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Most Demure: ASOS DESIGN Batwing Bias Cut Maxi Dress

Though the silhouette is demure, liquid metallic fabric makes this dress a festive option for New Year's Eve. For extra razzle-dazzle, finish with diamond or rhinestone earrings.

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Most Statement-Making Color: Retrofête Lamé Dress

Metallic fabrics are spot-on for New Year's Eve, and more distinctive is a dress in an unexpected hue like green lamé. The pin-thin spaghetti straps will beautifully enhance your neckline with a side split on the skirt for added allure.

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Most Elegant: Brandon Maxwell Off-The-Shoulder Silk Maxi Dress

black off-the-shoulder dress — Courtesy of Moda Operandi

Channel classic Hollywood glamour in this off-the-shoulder silk gown by Brandon Maxwell. The décolletage-revealing off-the-shoulder neckline calls for dazzling earrings, while the fitted silhouette beautifully defines the waist.

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Best One-Shoulder: Amsale Draped Bodice Gown

This fluid satin dress is stunning for a black-tie wedding, featuring an off-one-shoulder silhouette and bias column skirt. The pale green sheen is plenty festive with a pared-back design to suit minimalist tastes.

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Most Embellished: Needle & Thread Ruffled Sequined Tulle Midi Dress

No one does sophisticated sparkle quite like Needle & Thread. This shimmering number is perfect for a warm-weather New Year's Eve wedding.

What to Look for in a New Year's Eve Wedding Guest Outfit

A New Year's Eve wedding is the perfect occasion to dress up in something fun and statement-making–especially if the wedding invitation calls for festive attire. If you're looking to make a bold entrance, go for floor-length gowns in all-over shimmering sequins or beaded mini dresses that transition seamlessly from the ceremony to the after-party. More of a minimalist? You can never go wrong with a simple LBD that can easily be dressed up with festive accessories like statement-making earrings or dazzling metallic shoes.

FAQ

What should I wear to a New Year's Eve wedding?

While it's more than appropriate to wear something simple and classic to a New Year's Eve wedding, if you really want to embrace the theme (while still adhering to the dress code, of course), go bold with a sequin-embellished dress or opt for a gown in shimmering metallic like gold and silver.
What is festive attire?

Festive attire is typically a combination of dressy cocktail attire with hint of holiday flair. This means guests should opt for outfits in bold colors with fun details like sequin or bead embellishments.
What accessories can I wear with my New Year's Eve wedding guest outfit?

Depending on your personal style, you can either go for a statement-making look with bold and embellished jewelry or you can opt for a simple yet festive look by pairing your ensemble with clean and modern metallic accessories.

Why Trust Brides

Contributing writer Laura Lajiness covers fashion, accessories, and fine jewelry. Her work can be seen across various outlets, including ELLE, InStyle, Glamour, Refinery 29, The Zoe Report, Popsugar, Well+Good, and Barneys New York, among other titles and brands.

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